Just hit 40,000 miles in Molly yesterday, still LOVIN' EVERY MINUTE OF IT!!

 

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I have a 2009 base with 53,000 miles and the worse problem I had was needing the driver's window reprogramed because it didn't do the "window retract" thing anymore. Other than that, it's been a perfect car. I love it so much, I ordered a 2012 MCS.

I hope you are more fortunate with your next vehicle.

 

Below is what I posted in another thread:

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If you asked me 2 years ago, I would say Mini is reliable. Ever since my 2007 MCS hit over 50000 miles, all kinds of problem surfaced. And it is not just my Mini, I have 2 co-workers who got MCS and they got the exact same problems. Maybe I was lucky before with my other cars, but I never had so many problems with a car before.

Carbon Build Up: According to Mini, this is normal if you don't drive your car like you have stolen it. I use it for commute and I guess that's not the correct way to drive a Mini and watch out for carbon built up.

Fuel Pump Fails: Mini expected it to fail so they actually extended the warranty to cover it. So if yours fails, make sure you take it to dealer even though you thought it is out of warranty.

Water Pump Leaks: According to my Mini repair shop, it happens to tons of MCS. The water pump is not well made and they have replaced many.

Burning Oil: My MCS burns about 1 quart of oil every 1500 miles, and according to Mini, it is normal to burn a quart of oil every 1000 miles. I have never seen a car burn that much oil even with turbo. Again it is not just my car, my co-workers' mini got the same problem. It seems not normal that I have to add 2 or 3 quarts of oil in between oil change every 5000 miles.

Hood Scoop Melting: It is nice that they would change it out while it is still under warranty, but it just kept melting. You would think that they would replace it with something that does not melt? I could problem replace it with an after market one that does not melt, but why would I have to pay to replace a defective part?

I love the way my MCS looks, but it is definitely not reliable in my book.

 

I just bought a 2012 MCS after driving my 2009 MCS for 80,000 miles. Luckily I have a good dealer, otherwise I would never had bought another one. Timing chain issues, radio issues, windows go down on their own, rattles. I never went to MiniUSA because my dealer took care of me with loaner cars. My 2012 runs rough and has stalled 3x when cold, some trim is installed incorrectly, and the fuse door falls out. BMW/Mini doesn't get quality, and doesn't seem to care about customers. I have sent two e-mails in the past three weeks and have not even gotten an acknowledgement. My last Mini, and no BMW for my wife!

 

All I can say is "wow"....
For someone who liked the image, the functionality, the size, the character, the mix-'n-match options, the fun driveability, ergonomics.... threads like this are frightening. I thought the Mini would be my next car. Not so sure now.

 

I wouldn't let all this jabber scare you too much. I read all the same stuff for several weeks before I bought my 09 Clubman S. You can basically narrow down all the common problems with these cars to about 5 things. Take for example another manufacturer who people would call "reliable". I sold my 2010 Mazda 5 to get my Clubman. My Mazda 5 with less than 25k miles had two fuel pumps fail, unfixable alignment issues, and 2nd gear would grind often no matter how soft or slow you shifted. My friend's Mazda3 had 2nd gear replaced 3 times already. Most cars have their quirks. That Mazda 5 cost me almost $2000 in maintenance after owning it for only 20 months. If Im going to pay to fix a "new" car I'll take my Clubman over a boring Mazda anytime...

 

I drove a 2ga DSM (1996 Eagle Talon TSi AWD)...argueably one of the most unreliable cars in history. They were notorious for crank walk; something like 30-40% of the cars met their demise this way. There is still a open lawsuit against Mitsubishi for this problem. I had one, and the first engine blew (not due to crankwalk, but it still threw a rod berring, we think due to old oil because the car had been sitting with the previous owner before me.) Anyway...we replaced the engine and it never had a single problem after that. I loved that car, and I'm sad I got rid of it. People always told me how awful DSMs were and how it would leave me stranded on the side of the road more than time it spent running...and it never did.

Some cars have a reputation of being unreliable. Mini isn't really one of them. Yeah, some cars have their quirks, and you're more likely to see them looking on this forum. Like I've said before: it's like looking at restaurant reviews. People are more likely to post complaints than compliments. My Justa had 53k when I sold it and was mint.

Be aware of your car like it's one of your children. Be aware of a change in sound or behavior. Keep up with care and get it checked by a mechanic regularly if you're not car savvy. Most problems are simple fixes if you catch them early enough.

 

I have an early 08 Clubman with 35K miles. So far the problems have been minimal, limited to the window dippers and Clubman door. A young lady that woks for me has an 06 and her's is constantly in the shop. Having worked for a company with manufacturing facilities around Europe, I know there were weeks of the year when I would not have wanted to own one of the products we sold. Worst was amy week in August - high usage of temporary workers. It would be interesting to compare manufacturing dates for problem Mini's.

 

I have a 2012 Clubbie(5500 miles) and my wife has a 2011 vert(7500 miles) and so far no issues like described in here. On the vert the plastic piece above the drivers head broke, replaced under warranty. No other issues.

 

It's a BRITISH CAR! Think about that for a second. I'd say these are quite reliable if you consider the pedigree.

 

Hey, at least yours didn't go out in flames.

 

I am on my third, and my wife is on her first. No problems with any of ours. We love them and as soon as my neighbor finishes his lease on his Countryman I am buying it as well and we will be a 3 Mini Family. I used to be a very avid VW owner (owned 17), and if you want to talk about reliability issues! The dealer also has a lot to do with a positive experience and Hendrick Mini in Charlotte is great!

 

Unfortunately I too have had just too many visits to the dealer for items that really should not be an issue on a car. Thats why Im going tomorrow morning and talking to the dealer I used to work for on this...

 

That possibility is EXACTLY why I keep full coverage insurance on my car.

 

Insurance helps with the payout, doesn't help with not having a car for 2 months (my insurance only covered 1 month of rental so we've been without a car for 2 months) and other inconveniences of such an incident...

 

Agreed. The best possible outcome with an insurance policy is that you never need to use it, and your premium money has been totally wasted.

 

Its NOT a British car. Its a German car. They only assemble it in England. Its made up of parts that come from all over the world.

I would not compare the current MINI to the original Mini, MGs, Jaguars or any other 60s or 70s British car. Definitely not the same thing.

See they got you with that retro car thing.

 

I have a 2009 JCW that is 37 months old now and it has 31,000 miles. I too have been back to the dealer about a dozen times, only once for a major issue (clutch) that was covered under warranty. All the other issues were fit and finish issues.

My 2008 Highlander Limited never saw the dealer after I drove it home. Not once... never.
My 2006 BMW 330xi. Went in once for something minor.
My 2011 BMW X5 will be a year old in February. Its never been to the dealer.

Etc...etc...etc for many other cars I have owned actually leased. Maybe leasing is a good thing. You give them back before they become a headache.

I usually lease cars but for some strange reason I decided to buy it. And I plan on keeping it for a long time. I hope I do not have issues as I get closer to 50,000 miles.

I have had a lot of fun here on NAM, driving it and modding it. What a blast!!

I needed to get my wife a new commuter car back in November. We wanted a small SUV like a Toyota RAV4. We did not even consider the Countryman. I needed a reliable vehicle that I could keep for 10 to 15 years. The countryman did not even come in to that equation. We went with a RAV4. MINI=FAIL.

Even though the posters here on NAM make up less that 1% of the MINI community and the NAM readers are about 2 to 3 percent... reading these stories and seeing what goes on with these cars will make my 2009 JCW my first and last MINI. I could not in good conscience recommend these cars to friends or family.

-Steve

 

Ouch! All these issues is making me rethink my MINI purchase. I'm just arounding 5K and so far I've had to add a half qt of oil and the radio has dropped SAT preset stations 2 times already. It has yet get it's first dealer service but I hope it'll be a good experience.

Fun cool car to tool around town in and the turbo is a blast to drive on the freeways. Hopefully my car will be like most problem free with only minor issues.

 

Just like all cars there are going to be a web bad apples in the bunch. Mini manufactures thousands of cars. It is impossible to ensure that none will be lemons or defects. All mass produced products suffer the same issues. Issues inherent to a vehicles reliability isn't just privy to Mini Coopers by any means. Don't get me wrong though, it definitely sucks to be on the receiving end of a car that has reliability issues. I feel your pain. I had a Honda Prelude many moons ago that was an absolute pile. I ran through more power steering pumps, alternators and starters that any on vehicle should utilize in its lifetime. I vowed after that to never own another Honda again. After which of course I bought another and another. Those were fine. See there is hope haha!

 

I have over 60000 on my 08 non-s and I have had zero issues. I change my oil much more frequently than mini recommends and I don't use an ounce of oil....knock on wood...

 

That very smart that you do oil changes more frequently than the manufacturer suggests. Companies attempt to make the argument that synthetic oils don't break down as fast as non-synthetics but, when you have a liquid that changes its molecular structure due to heat (thermal viscosity breakdown) as well metal closely rubbing against metal changing the oil more frequently is definitely a life saver in the long run. 60 bucks today to not pay for a new engine tomorrow haha.

 

I've got 73,000 on my 2008 MC. I put on about 500 miles a week. The only problem I had was the radiator had to be replaced. Just got new tires after driving the originals bare. Considering getting the Countryman as our dog doesn't like the mini, he can't put his head out the window when he's in the back seat!

 

Neither do I. I compare it to current Rover products. I'm painfully familiar with the LR3, and let me tell you, the MINI is Toyota reliable by comparison.

Now with Bentley, I would consider certain models, such as mid 2000's Flying Spur's German, as they were built in Germany. And of course all current models are still based on the Volkswagen chassis, with W12 engines. But production is back in Crewe, UK.

It's a matter of perspective, I suppose. But I've owned English cars since 1991, and yes, the retro aspect appeals to me. I'm no expert, but if you check out my intro thread: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ner-in-ct.html I think it's hard to deny I'm pretty familiar with the inner workings of my car. I've also had three BMWs of my own (all '80s vintage), and Fiancee has an e60 which I maintain. Yes, there is a HUGE amount of BMW in the MINI, but that doesn't make it a BMW (or German) car in my eyes. In fact, I'll venture so far as to say that if the MINI was in fact a BMW, this thread would not exist, because the car would not be as quirky. Anyway, I'm taking away from the original point of this thread.

 

Am I reading this correctly that you got 73,000 miles on your OEM tires??? If so, I would call Guinness immediately because you have obviously set the new world record!